Some of us may never chalk up enough hotel loyalty points to gain access to that exclusive club that gives you lounge access and all the other perks that make you feel like a VIP. But what if we told you there was a way to go for a staycation fit for a well-travelled hotel VIP, without having to accrue points?

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Club Escape staycation does just that. You’ll be luxuriating in one of the Club Room or Suites perched at the top floor of the hotel and enjoy views like this.

The view of the superstars of the Singapore skyline from our room on the 29th level. Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton boast spectacular views, either of Marina Bay or the cityscape.

But the VIP-worthy highlight here is the exclusive access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge on the top floor, where you can wine and dine all day with five daily culinary presentations (ie. breakfast, mid-day snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and desserts and cordials). Oh, did we mention that drinks are free-flow all day, champagne included?

Prices start at $595 a night for two people. Is this a staycation worth splurging on? We went on a 2D/1N stay and are happy to report that it could be well worth your moolah if you play your cards right.

The VIP treatment begins even before you step into the hotel. The club concierge e-mails us a few days before our staycation to confirm details, as well as to recap Covid-19 safety measures, including pre-booking slots for the pool and gym. Check-in is usually at 3pm, but on the day of our stay, we get another e-mail from our friendly concierge informing us that our room was ready early.

Almost synonymous with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton is the fantastic views that all the rooms come with. In fact, these folks are so serious about the view, it features front and centre throughout, even from the bathtub in the uber-luxe bathroom. We were treated to sweeping views of Marina Bay and the CBD from our Club Deluxe room on the 29th floor.

Check out the Ritz-Carlton geotag on Instagram and this is the snap that keeps coming up. Even if you’re not planning to post an influencer-approved bathtub selfie, you’ll still be wowed by the view.

That very plush bed comes with hidden power points on either side. All the better to charge your devices with.

Unusual times call for unusual complimentary amenities in the room. While we had our own masks, we were thankful for the extras provided as guests have to keep masks on while in public spaces in the hotel. And for added safety, besides doing a generic Safe-Entry check-in at the hotel upon arrival, guests are also required to do so at individual facilities throughout the hotel, including the gym, pool and Club Lounge.

This welcome fruit platter in the room is probably the most soothing fruit platter you'll see. Marie Kondo would approve.

Admittedly, we spent a good chunk of our time at the Club Lounge, where five culinary presentations take place daily. There's breakfast (8-10.30am), mid-day snacks (11.30am-2pm), afternoon tea (2.30-4.30pm), cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (5.30-7.30pm) and dessert and cordials (8-9.30pm).

Breakfast with a view.

Pro-tip: don’t miss the afternoon tea, which comes with dainty tiers of classic and local high tea bites, including a luscious honey-baked ham and cucumber sandwich, kueh lapis and freshly baked scones with clotted cream.

“Let me know if you need more of anything, the server told us. It’ll probably be the scones.” He wasn’t wrong.

A different view at night. Of course, window seats are popular, with guests eyeing them as soon as someone leaves. But table changes are not carried out until staff can properly sanitise the tables.

Like most hotels in Singapore now, pre-booking slots to use facilities such as the pool and the gym is required as capacity is limited. Reservations for the pool and gym bookings are in 90-min blocks. We checked out the pool and found that some seats were also blocked out for safe distancing purposes. If you ask us, the reduced number of people makes chilling by the pool all the more enjoyable.

There’s complimentary parking for guests, and a car service to anywhere in the Marina Bay vicinity. But between lounging at the pool, hanging out at the Club Lounge and luxuriating in that bath, you probably won’t be thinking about nipping out of the hotel at all.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Club Escape deal starts at $595 for two people, reserve with the hotel directly to enjoy 15 per cent off a club room or 20 per cent off a club suite. Book by June 19, 2021 for stays through 21 June, 2021. For room reservations, call 6434-5111, e-mail rc.sinrz.reservations [at] ritzcarlton.com or go to http://bit.ly/RC-ClubEscape.

Photos: Jasmine Teo